Coca-Cola has opened its new beverage facility in Maputo, the capital Mozambique, with an investment of $120m.

In the first phase, the new facility will have an annual production capacity of 50 million crates of soft drinks, which will increase to 70 million in the second phase year and 150 million crates in the third phase.

Around 300 people will be employed initially, but once the full scale production begins, the plant will have around 700 employees.

"The facility is expected to bolster the producer’s bottling capacity in the East African country."

During the construction phase, the plant provided around 1,000 jobs.

The facility, which is equipped with advanced technology, is expected to bolster the producer’s bottling capacity in the East African country.

The new plant was inaugurated by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.

Nyusi said: "Investment occurs where there is a favourable economic environment. This plant is testament to the contribution of the private sector to the development of Mozambique. The government will continue to promote industrialisation to create jobs and maximise the value chain".

Nyusi stressed that the country has the capacity to produce all the sugar that Coca-Cola requires. However, the bulk of the sugar produced in the country is not refined, compelling companies to import refined sugar.